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Tata Motors has intimated us through a press release that it has embarked on a comprehensive investigation in connection to the cause of fire in two Tata Nanos. Based on the findings of the investigation, administered by a 20-member internal team and an autonomous forensic expert, Tata Motors assures all customers that the Tata Nano is a safe car, with a robust design and state-of-the-art components.

The investigation reveals that the occurrences of the two fires are not interconnected. Both the fires took place while the car was either taken to or away from a dealer showroom.

In Satish Sawant’s case, a foreign object was discovered in the exhaust pipe of the vehicle which could have led to the fire. The second incident which took place while the car was being driven to a dealer showroom happened due to a ruptured fuel line.

The investigators conclude that the Tata Nano is safe and robust vehicle. The company, starting May 24, will contact customers individually and offer them appointments with the local service station over the next few weeks for a comprehensive inspection. These will be carried out free of cost.

These are merely inspections and do not constitute a recall. A recall, unlike the United States, is not compulsory in India. Tata’s final part of the press release states more than 300 prototypes have clocked over 2 million kilometeres without hiccups.

Press Release

Tata Motors concludes investigation into Tata Nano incidents

Findings reaffirm robust design and quality

Mumbai, May 21, 2010: Tata Motors has undertaken a comprehensive investigation related to the cause of fire in two Tata Nanos. On the basis of the findings of the investigation, conducted by a 20-member internal team and an independent forensic expert, Tata Motors assures all customers that the Tata Nano is a safe car, with a robust design and state-of-the-art components.

The investigation reveals that the incidents in these two cars, which were being transported to or from dealers, were isolated instances and the reasons are unrelated. This further establishes the conclusion that the Tata Nano’s design is robust.

The Mumbai incident in March 2010, approximately one-and-a-half hours after delivery to a customer, was found to have remnants of a foreign object on the hot exhaust system which most probably led to combustion. In the incident of the second car in Gujarat’s Anand district in April 2010, which was being delivered to a dealership, there was evidence of a ruptured fuel line.

The investigators’ conclusion that the Tata Nano is safe and robust is also visible in the problem free driving experience of thousands of owners since deliveries from July 2009. The company has, notwithstanding, decided that it will allay any concerns by owners by inspecting all cars with customers and, where necessary, add additional protection to ensure the car’s safety. Beginning May 24th, each owner will be individually contacted over the next few weeks to fix appointments for such inspections. These inspections would be provided free of cost to the customers.

These inspections do not constitute a recall.

Before launch, the Tata Nano was validated with more than 300 prototypes which covered more than 2 million km of safe operation in all conditions. Tata Motors reiterates that the Tata Nano is a safe car built with uncompromising attention to quality in all aspects.